CHAPTER XXVIII.
"Hope--that thy wrongs will be by the Great Spirit Remembered and revenged when thou art gone; Sorrow--that none are left thee to inherit Thy name, thy fame, thy passions, and thy throne." --_Red Jacket._
It was a little remarkable that one as old and blear-eyed as the negro,should be the first among us to discover the approach of a large body ofthe Injins, who could not be less than two hundred in number. Thecircumstance was probably owing to the fact that, while every other eyewas riveted on the speaker, his eyes were fastened on nothing. There theInjins did come, however, in force; and this time apparently withoutfear. The white American meets the red-man with much confidence, when heis prepared for the struggle; and the result has shown that, when thrownupon his resources in the wilderness, and after he has been allowed timeto gain a little experience, he is usually the most formidable enemy.But a dozen Indians, of the stamp of those who had here come to visitus, armed and painted, and placed in the centre of one of our largestpeopled counties, would be sufficient to throw that county into aparoxysm of fear. Until time were given for thought, and the opinions ofthe judicious superseded the effects of rumor, nothing but panic wouldprevail. Mothers would clasp their children to their bosoms, fatherswould hold back their sons from the slaughter, and even the heroes ofthe militia would momentarily forget their ardor in the suggestions ofprudence and forethought.
Such, in fact, had been the state of things in and about Ravensnest,when Flintyheart so unexpectedly led his companions into the forest, anddispersed the virtuous and oppressed tenants of my estate on theirreturn from a meeting held with but one virtuous object; viz., that oftransferring the fee of the farms they occupied from me to themselves.No one doubted, at the moment, that in addition to the other enormitiescommitted by me and mine, I had obtained a body of savages from the farwest to meet the forces already levied by the tenants, on a principlethat it would not do to examine very clearly. If I _had_ done so, I amfar from certain that I should not have been perfectly justified inmorals; for an evil of that nature, that might at any time be put downin a month, and which is suffered to exist for years, through theselfish indifference of the community, restores to every man his naturalrights of self-defence; though I make no doubt had I resorted to suchmeans, I should have been hanged, without benefit of philanthropists;the "clergy" in this country not being included in the class, so far assuspension by the neck is concerned.
But the panic had disappeared, as soon as the truth became knownconcerning the true object of the visit of the redskins. The courage ofthe "virtuous and honest" revived, and one of the first exhibitions ofthis renewed spirit was the attempt to set fire to my house and barns.So serious a demonstration, it was thought, would convince me of thereal power of the people, and satisfy us all that their wishes are notto be resisted with impunity. As no one likes to have his house andbarns burned, it must be a singular being who could withstand theinfluence of such a manifestation of the "spirit of the institutions;"for it is just as reasonable to suppose that the attempts of theincendiaries came within their political category, as it is to supposethat the attempt of the tenants to get a title beyond what was bestowedin their leases, was owing to this cause.
That habit of deferring to externals, which is so general in a certainclass of our citizens, and which endures in matters of religion longafter the vital principle is forgotten, prevented any serious outbreakon the next day, which was the Sunday mentioned; though the occasion wasimproved to coerce by intimidation, the meeting and resolutions havingbeen regularly digested in secret conclave among the local leaders ofanti-rentism, and carried out, as has been described. Then followed thedestruction of the canopy, another demonstration of the "spirit of theinstitutions," and as good an argument as any that has yet been offered,in favor of the dogmas of the new political faith. Public opinion isentitled to some relief, surely, when it betrays so much excitement asto desecrate churches and to destroy private property. This circumstanceof the canopy had been much dwelt on, as a favorable anti-rent argument,and it might now be considered that the subject was carried out todemonstration.
By the time all this was effected, so completely had the "Injins" gotover their dread of the Indians, that it was with difficulty the leadersof the former could prevent the most heroic portion of their corps fromfollowing their blow at the canopy by a _coup de main_ against the oldfarm-house and its occupants. Had not the discretion of the leaders beengreater than that of their subordinates, it is very probable blood wouldhave been shed between these quasi belligerents. But the warriors of theprairies were the guests of Uncle Sam, and the old gentleman, after all,has a long arm, and can extend it from Washington to Ravensnest withoutmuch effort. He was not to be offended heedlessly, therefore; for hispower was especially to be dreaded in this matter of the covenants,without which Injins and agitation would be altogether unnecessary toattaining the great object, the Albany politicians being so welldisposed to do all they can for the "virtuous and honest." Uncle Sam'sIndians, consequently, were held a good deal more in respect than thelaws of the State, and they consequently escaped being murdered in theirsleep.
When Jaaf first drew our attention to the Injins, they were advancing ina long line, by the highway, and at a moderate pace; leaving us time toshift our own position, did we deem it necessary. My uncle was ofopinion it would never do to remain out on the lawn, exposed to so greata superiority of force, and he took his measures accordingly. In thefirst place, the females, mistresses and maids--and there were eight orten of the last--were requested to retire, at once, to the house. Thelatter, with John at their head, were directed to close all the loweroutside shutters of the building, and secure them within. This done, andthe gate and two outer doors fastened, it would not be altogetherwithout hazard to make an assault on our fortress. As no one required asecond request to move, this part of the precaution was soon effected,and the house placed in a species of temporary security.
While the foregoing was in the course of execution, Susquesus and Jaafwere induced to change their positions, by transferring themselves tothe piazza. That change was made, and the two old fellows werecomfortably seated in their chairs again before a single man of theredskins moved a foot. There they all remained, motionless as so manystatues, with the exception that Flintyheart seemed to be reconnoitringwith his eyes the thicket that fringed the neighboring ravine, and whichformed a bit of dense cover, as already described, of some considerableextent.
"Do you wish the redskins in the house, colonel?" asked the interpreter,coolly, when matters had reached to this pass; "if you do, it's time tospeak, or they'll soon be off, like a flock of pigeons, into that cover.There'll be a fight as sartain as they move, for there's no more jokeand making of faces about them critturs than there is about amile-stone. So it's best to speak in time."
No delay occurred after this hint was given. The request of my uncle Rothat the chiefs would follow the Upright Onondago was just in time toprevent a flight; in the sense of Manytongues, I mean, for it was notvery likely these warriors would literally run away. It is probable thatthey would have preferred the cover of the woods as more natural andfamiliar to them--but I remarked, as the whole party came on the piazza,that Flintyheart, in particular, cast a quick, scrutinizing glance atthe house, which said in pretty plain language that he was examining itscapabilities as a work of defence. The movement, however, was made withperfect steadiness; and, what most surprised us all, was the fact thatnot one of the chiefs appeared to pay the slightest attention to theiradvancing foes; or men whom it was reasonable for them to suppose soconsidered themselves to be. We imputed this extraordinary reserve toforce of character, and a desire to maintain a calm and dignifieddeportment in the presence of Susquesus. If it were really the lattermotive that so completely restrained every exhibition of impatience,apprehension, or disquietude, they had every reason to congratulatethemselves on the entire success of their characteristic restraint ontheir
feelings.
The Injins were just appearing on the lawn as our arrangements werecompleted. John had come to report every shutter secure, and the gateand little door barred. He also informed us that all the men and boyswho could be mustered, including gardeners, laborers, and stable people,to the number of five or six, were in the little passage, armed; whererifles were ready also for ourselves. In short, the preparations thathad been made by my grandmother, immediately after her arrival, were nowof use, and enabled us to make much more formidable resistance,sustained as we were by the party from the prairies, than I could haveever hoped for on so sudden an emergency.
Our arrangement was very simple. The ladies were seated near the greatdoor, in order that they might be placed under cover the first, in theevent of necessity; Susquesus and Jaaf had their chairs a little on oneside, but quite near this group, and the men from the far west occupiedthe opposite end of the piazza, whither the benches had been removed,for their accommodation. Manytongues stood between the two divisions ofour company, ready to interpret for either; while my uncle, myself,John, and two or three of the other servants took position behind ouraged friends. Seneca and his fellow-incendiary were in the midst of thechiefs.
It was just as the Injins had got fairly on the lawn that we heard theclattering of hoofs, and every eye was turned in the direction whencethe sound proceeded. This was on the side of the ravine, and to me itseemed from the first that some one was approaching us through thatdell. So it proved, truly; for soon Opportunity came galloping up thepath, and appeared in sight. She did not check her horse until under thetree, where she alighted, by a single bound, and hitching the animal toa hook in the tree, she moved swiftly toward the house. My sister Pattadvanced to the steps of the piazza to receive this unexpected guest,and I was just behind her to make my bow. But the salutations ofOpportunity were hasty and far from being very composed. She glancedaround her, ascertained the precise condition of her brother--and,taking my arm, she led me into the library with very little, or, indeed,with no ceremony; for, to give this young woman her due, she was aperson of great energy when there was anything serious to be done. Theonly sign of deviating, in the slightest degree, from the object inview, was pausing, one instant, in passing, to make her compliments tomy grandmother.
"What, in the name of wonder, do you mean to do with Sen?" demanded thisactive young lady, looking at me intently, with an expressionhalf-hostile, half-tender. "You are standing over an earthquake, Mr.Hugh, if you did but know it."
Opportunity had confounded the effect with the cause, but that was oflittle moment on an occasion so interesting. She was much in earnest,and I had learned by experience that her hints and advice might be ofgreat service to us at the Nest.
"To what particular danger do you allude, my dear Opportunity?"
"Ah, Hugh! if things was only as they used to be, how happy might we allbe together here at Ravensnest! But, there is no time to talk of suchthings; for, as Sarah Soothings says, 'the heart is most monopolizedwhen grief is the profoundest, and it is only when our sentiments risefreely to the surface of the imagination, that the mind escapes theshackles of thraldom.' But I haven't a minute for Sarah Soothings, even,just now. Don't you see the Injins?"
"Quite plainly, and they probably see my 'Indians.'"
"Oh! they don't regard them now the least in the world. At first, whenthey thought you might have hired a set of desperate wretches to scalpthe folks, there was some misgivings; but the whole story is now known,and nobody cares a straw about them. If anybody's scalp is taken, 'twillbe their own. Why, the whole country is up, and the report has goneforth, far and near, that you have brought in with you a set ofblood-thirsty savages from the prairies to cut the throats of women andchildren, and drive off the tenants, that you may get all the farms intoyour own hands before the lives fall in. Some folks say, these savageshave had a list of all the lives named in your leases given to them, andthat they are to make way with all such people first, that you may havethe law as much as possible on your side. You stand on an earthquake,Mr. Hugh; you do, indeed!"
"My dear Opportunity," I answered, laughing, "I am infinitely obliged toyou for all this attention to my interests, and freely own that onSaturday night you were of great service to me; but I must now thinkthat you magnify the danger--that you color the picture too high."
"Not in the least, I do protest, you stand on an earthquake; and as yourfriend, I have ridden over here to tell you as much, while there is yettime."
"To get off it, I suppose you mean. But how can all these evil andblood-thirsty reports be abroad, when the characters of the WesternIndians are, as you own yourself, understood, and the dread of them thatdid exist in the town has entirely vanished? There is a contradiction inthis."
"Why, you know how it is, in anti-rent times. When an excitement isneeded, folks don't stick at facts very closely, but repeat things, andmake things, just as it happens to be convenient."
"True; I can understand this, and have no difficulty in believing younow. But have you come here this morning simply to let me know thedanger which besets me from this quarter?"
"I believe I'm always only too ready to gallop over to the Nest! Buteverybody has some weakness or other, and I suppose I am to be noexception to the rule," returned Opportunity, who doubtless fancied themoment propitious to throw in a volley toward achieving her greatconquest, and who reinforced that volley of words with such a glance ofthe eye, as none but a most practised picaroon on the sea of flirtationcould have thrown. "But, Hugh--I call you Hugh, Mr. Littlepage, for youseem more like Hugh to me, than like the proud, evil-minded aristocrat,and hard-hearted landlord, that folks want to make you out to be--but Inever could have told you what I did last night, had I supposed it wouldbring Sen into this difficulty."
"I can very well understand how unpleasantly you are situated asrespects your brother, Opportunity, and your friendly services will notbe forgotten in the management of his affairs."
"If you are of this mind, why won't you suffer these Injins to get himout of the hands of your real savages," returned Opportunity, coaxingly."I'll promise for him that Sen will go off, and stay off for somemonths, if you insist on't; when all is forgotten, he can come backagain."
"Is the release of your brother, then, the object of this visit from theInjins?"
"Partly so--they're bent on having him. He's in all the secrets of theanti-renters, and they're afraid for their very lives, so long as he'sin your hands. Should he get a little scared, and give up onlyone-quarter of what he knows, there'd be no peace in the county for atwelvemonth."
At this instant, and before there was time to make an answer, I wassummoned to the piazza, the Injins approaching so near as to induce myuncle to step to the door and call my name in a loud voice. I wascompelled to quit Opportunity, who did not deem it prudent to showherself among us, though her presence in the house, as an intercessorfor her brother, could excite neither surprise nor resentment.
When I reached the piazza, the Injins had advanced as far as the treewhere we had first been posted, and there they had halted, seemingly fora conference. In their rear, Mr. Warren was walking hurriedly toward us,keeping the direct line, regardless of those whom we well knew to beinimical to him, and intent only on reaching the house before it couldbe gained by the "disguised and armed." This little circumstance gaverise to an incident of touching interest, and which I cannot refrainfrom relating, though it may interrupt the narration of matters thatothers may possibly think of more moment.
Mr. Warren did not pass directly through the crowd of rioters--for suchthose people were, in effect, unless the epithet should be changed tothe still more serious one of rebels--but he made a little detour, inorder to prevent a collision that was unnecessary. When about half-waybetween the tree and the piazza, however, the Injins gave a discordantyell, and many of them sprang forward, as if in haste to overtake, andprobably to arrest him. Just as we all involuntarily arose, under acommon feeling of interest in the fate of the good rector,
Mary dartedfrom the piazza, was at her father's side and in his arms so quickly, asto seem to have flown there. Clinging to his side, she appeared to urgehim toward us. But Mr. Warren adopted a course much wiser than that offlight would have been. Conscious of having said or done no more thanhis duty, he stopped and faced his pursuers. The act of Mary Warren hadproduced a check to the intended proceedings of these lawless men, andthe calm, dignified aspect of the divine completed his conquest. Theleaders of the Injins paused, conferred together, when all who hadissued from the main body returned to their companions beneath the tree,leaving Mr. Warren and his charming daughter at liberty to join usunmolested, and with decorum.
The instant Mary Warren left the piazza on her pious errand, I sprangforward to follow her with an impulse I could not control. Although myown power over this impulsive movement was so small, that of my uncleand grandmother was greater. The former seized the skirt of my frock,and held me back by main strength, while the light touch of the latterhad even greater power. Both remonstrated, and with so much obviousjustice, that I saw the folly of what I was about in an instant, andabandoned my design. Had _I_ fallen into the hands of the anti-renters,their momentary triumph, at least, would have been complete.
Mr. Warren ascended the steps of the piazza with a mien as unaltered,and an air as undisturbed, as if about to enter his own church. The goodold gentleman had so schooled his feelings, and was so much accustomedto view himself as especially protected, or as so ready to suffer, whenin the discharge of any serious duty, that I have had occasions toascertain fear was unknown to him. As for Mary, never had she appearedso truly lovely, as she ascended the steps, still clinging fondly andconfidingly to his arm. The excitement of such a scene had brought morethan the usual quantity of blood into her face, and the brilliancy ofher eyes was augmented by that circumstance, perhaps; but I fancied thata more charming picture of feminine softness, blended with theself-devotion of the child, could not have been imagined by the mind ofman.
Patt, dear, generous girl, sprang forward to embrace her friend, whichshe did with warmth and honest fervor, and my venerable grandmotherkissed her on both cheeks, while the other two girls were not backwardin giving the customary signs of the sympathy of their sex. My uncle Roeven went so far as gallantly to kiss her hand, causing the poor girl'sface to be suffused with blushes, while poor Hugh was obliged to keep inthe background, and content himself with looking his admiration. I gotone glance, however, from the sweet creature, that was replete withconsolation, since it assured me that my forbearance was understood, andattributed to its right motive.
In that singular scene, the men of the prairies alone appeared to beunmoved. Even the domestics and workmen had betrayed a powerful interestin this generous act of Mary Warren's, the females all screaming inchorus, very much as a matter of course. But, not an Indian moved.Scarce one turned his eyes from the countenance of Susquesus, though allmust have been conscious that something of interest was going on so nearthem, by the concern we betrayed; and all certainly knew that theirenemies were hard by. As respects the last, I have supposed theunconcern, or seeming unconcern of these western warriors, ought to beascribed to the circumstance of the presence of the ladies, and animpression that there could be no very imminent risk of hostilitieswhile the company then present remained together. The apathy of thechiefs seemed to be extended to the interpreter, who was coolly lightinghis pipe at the very moment when the whole affair of the Warren episodeoccurred; an occupation that was not interrupted by the clamor andconfusion among ourselves.
As there was a delay in the nearer approach of the Injins, there wasleisure to confer together for a moment. Mr. Warren told us, therefore,that he had seen the "disguised and armed" pass the rectory, and hadfollowed in order to act as a mediator between us and any contemplatedharm.
"The destruction of the canopy of Hugh's pew must have given you aserious intimation that things were coming to a head," observed mygrandmother.
Mr. Warren had not heard of the affair of the canopy, at all. Althoughliving quite within sound of a hammer used in the church, everything hadbeen conducted with so much management, that the canopy had been takendown, and removed bodily, without any one in the rectory's knowing thefact. The latter had become known at the Nest, solely by thecircumstance that the object which had so lately canopied aristocracy inSt. Andrew's, Ravensrest, was now canopying pigs up at the farm house.The good divine expressed his surprise a little strongly, and, as Ithought, his regrets a little indifferently. He was not one tocountenance illegality and violence, and least of all that peculiarlyAmerican vice, envy; but, on the other hand, he was not one to look withfavor on the empty distinctions, as set up between men equally sinnersand in need of grace to redeem them from a common condemnation, in thehouse of God. As the grave is known to be the great leveller of thehuman race, so ought the church to be used as a preparatory step indescending to the plain all must occupy, in spirit at least, before theycan hope to be elevated to any, even of the meanest places, among themany mansions of our Father's bosom!
There was but a short breathing time given us, however, before theInjins again advanced. It was soon evident they did not mean to remainmere idle spectators of the scene that was in the course of enactment onthe piazza, but that it was their intention to become actors, in somemode or other. Forming themselves into a line, that savored a great dealmore of the militia of this great republic than of the warriors of theWest, they came on tramping, with the design of striking terror into oursouls. Our arrangements were made, however, and on our part everythingwas conducted just as one could have wished. The ladies, influenced bymy grandmother, retained their seats, near the door; the men of thehousehold were standing, but continued stationary, while not an Indianstirred. As for Susquesus, he had lived far beyond surprises and allemotions of the lower class, and the men of the prairies appeared totake their cues from him. So long as he continued immovable, they seemeddisposed to remain immovable also.
The distance between the tree and the piazza, did not much exceed ahundred yards, and little time was necessary to march across it. Iremarked, however, that, contrary to the laws of attraction, the nearerthe Injins' line got to its goal, the slower and more unsteady itsmovement became. It also lost its formation, bending into curves, thoughits tramps became louder and louder, as if those who were in it, wishedto keep alive their own courage by noise. When within fifty feet of thesteps, they ceased to advance at all merely, stamping with their feet,as if hoping to frighten us into flight. I thought this a favorablemoment to do that which it had been decided between my uncle and myselfought to be done by me, as owner of the property these lawless men hadthus invaded. Stepping to the front of the piazza, I made a sign forattention. The tramping ceased all at once, and I had a profound silencefor my speech.
"You know me, all of you," I said, quietly I know, and I trust firmly;"and you know, therefore, that I am the owner of this house and theselands. As such owner, I order every man among you to quit the place, andto go into the highway, or upon the property of some other person.Whoever remains, after this notice, will be a trespasser, and the evildone by a trespasser is doubly serious in the eyes of the law."
I uttered these words loud enough to be heard by everybody present, butI cannot pretend that they were attended by much success. The calicobundles turned toward each other, and there was an appearance of a sortof commotion, but the leaders composed the people, the omnipotent peoplein this instance, as they do in most others. The sovereignty of the massis a capital thing as a principle, and once in a long while it evinces agreat good in practice; in a certain sense, it is always working good,by holding a particular class of most odious and intolerable abuses incheck; but as for the practice of every-day political management, theirimperial majesties, the sovereigns of America, of whom I happen to beone, have quite as little connection with the measures they are made toseem to demand, and to sustain, as the Nawab of Oude; if the English,who are so disinterested as to feel a generous concern for the rights
ofmankind, whenever the great republic adds a few acres to the smallpaternal homestead, have left any such potentate in existence.
So it was with the decision of the "disguised and armed," on theoccasion I am describing. They decided that no other notice should betaken of my summons to quit, than a contemptuous yell, though they hadto ascertain from their leaders what they had decided before they knewthemselves. The shout was pretty general, notwithstanding, and it hadone good effect; that of satisfying the Injins themselves, that they hadmade a clear demonstration of their contempt of my authority, which theyfancied victory sufficient for the moment; nevertheless, thedemonstration did not end exactly here. Certain cries, and a briefdialogue, succeeded, which it may be well to record.
"_King_ Littlepage," called out one, from among the "disguised andarmed," "what has become of your throne? St. Andrew's meeting-'us' haslost its monarch's throne!"
"His pigs have set up for great aristocrats of late; presently they'llwant to be patroons."
"Hugh Littlepage, be a man; come down to a level with yourfellow-citizens, and don't think yourself any better than other folks.You're but flesh and blood, a'ter all."
"Why don't you invite me to come and dine with you as well as priestWarren? I can eat, as well as any man in the country, and as much."
"Yes, and he'll _drink_, too, Hugh Littlepage; so provide your bestliquor the day he's to be invited."
All this passed for wit among the Injins, and among that portion of the"virtuous and honest and hard-working," who not only kept them on foot,but on this occasion kept them company also; it having since beenascertained that about one-half of that band was actually composed ofthe tenants of the Ravensnest farms. I endeavored to keep myself cool,and succeeded pretty well, considering the inducements there were to beangry. Argument with such men was out of the question--and knowing theirnumbers and physical superiority, they held my legal rights in contempt.
What was probably worse than all, they knew that the law itself wasadministered by the people, and that they had little to apprehend, anddid apprehend virtually nothing from any of the pains and penalties itmight undertake to inflict, should recourse be had to it at any futureday. Ten or a dozen wily agents sent through the country to circulatelies, and to visit the county town previously to, and during a trial, inorder to raise a party that will act more or less directly on the mindsof the jurors, with a newspaper or two to scatter untruths andprejudices, would at least be as effective, at the critical moment, asthe law, the evidence, and the right. As for the judges, and theircharges, they have lost most of their influence, under the operation ofthis nefarious system, and count but for very little in theadministration of justice either at Nisi Prius or at Oyer Terminer.These are melancholy truths, that any man who quits his theories anddescends into the arena of practice will soon ascertain to be such, tohis wonder and alarm, if he be a novice and an honest man. A portion ofthis unhappy state of things is a consequence of the legislativetinkering that has destroyed one of the most healthful provisions of thecommon law, in prohibiting the judges to punish for contempt, unless foroutrages committed in open court. The press, in particular, now profitsby this impunity, and influences the decision of nearly every case thatcan at all enlist public feeling. All these things men feel, and few whoare wrong care for the law; for those who are right, it is true, thereis still some danger. My uncle Ro says America is no more like whatAmerica was in this respect twenty years since, than Kamtschatka is likeItaly. For myself, I wish to state the truth; exaggerating nothing, noryet taking refuge in a dastardly concealment.
Unwilling to be browbeaten on the threshold of my own door, I determinedto say something ere I returned to my place. Men like these before mecan never understand that silence proceeds from contempt; and I fanciedit best to make some sort of a reply to the speeches I have recorded,and to twenty more of the same moral calibre. Motioning for silence, Iagain obtained it.
"I have ordered you to quit my lawn, in the character of its owner," Isaid, "and, by remaining, you make yourselves trespassers. As for whatyou have done to my pew, I should thank you for it, had it not been donein violation of the right; for it was fully my intention to have thatcanopy removed as soon as the feeling about it had subsided. I am asmuch opposed to distinctions of any sort in the house of God as any ofyou can be, and desire them not for myself, or any belonging to me. Iask for nothing but equal rights with all my fellow-citizens; that _my_property should be as much protected as _theirs_, but not more so. But Ido not conceive that you or any man has a right to ask to share in myworld's goods any more than I have a right to ask to share in his; thatyou can more justly claim a portion of my lands than I can claim a sharein your cattle and crops. It is a poor rule that does not work bothways."
"You're an aristocrat," cried one from among the Injins, "or you'd bewilling to let other men have as much land as you've got yourself.You're a patroon; and all patroons are aristocrats and hateful."
"An aristocrat," I answered, "is one of a few who wield political power.The highest birth, the largest fortune, the most exclusive associationwould not make an aristocrat, without the addition of a narrow politicalpower. In this country there are no aristocrats, because there is nonarrow political power. There is, however, a spurious aristocracy whichyou do not recognize, merely because it does not happen to be in thehands of gentlemen. Demagogues and editors are your privileged classes,and consequently your aristocrats, and none others. As for your landlordaristocrats, listen to a true tale, which will satisfy you how far theydeserve to be called an aristocracy. Mark! what I now tell you isreligious truth, and it deserves to be known far and near, wherever yourcry of aristocracy reaches. There is a landlord in this State, a man oflarge means, who became liable for the debts of another to aconsiderable amount. At the very moment when _his_ rents could not becollected, owing to _your_ interference and the remissness of those inauthority to enforce the laws, the sheriff entered _his_ house and soldits contents, in order to satisfy an execution against _him_! There isAmerican aristocracy for you, and, I am sorry to add, American justice,as justice has got to be administered among us."
I was not disappointed in the effect of this narration of what is asober truth. Wherever I have told it, it has confounded even the mostbrawling demagogue, and momentarily revived in his breast some of thoseprinciples of right which God originally planted there. Americanaristocracy, in sooth! Fortunate is the gentleman that can obtain even areluctant and meagre justice.